The Vikings’ Top Trade Option Would Be a Painful Subtraction for Minnesota
Were I to offer an educated guess, I would insist that the Vikings’ top trade option is offensive lineman Blake Brandel.
Tough, versatile, and on a manageable contract, Mr. Brandel could function as a solid upgrade for a lot of NFL teams. He’s stepping into the second season of a three-year contract, meaning a team that brings him in would get a pair of seasons of team control. Could the Vikings look to pry away a low-end draft pick for the veteran, freeing up precious cap space in the process?
The Vikings’ Top Trade Option
Something to note when it comes to trades: there needs to be both a buyer and a seller.
Presumably, the Vikings worked the phones a bit to see if anyone would take linebacker Brian Asamoah. The issue is simply that it’s hard to envision a team forfeiting an asset — a draft pick — for someone who has struggled to get onto the field across three seasons. Sure, there was speculation about Minnesota moving him via trade since the 53 looked unlikely after drafting Kobe King, but that speculation always assumed a team would trade something for Mr. Asamoah. In the end, Minnesota waived the player (he was scooped up promptly for the low cost of a roster spot).
Brandel may find himself in a decent position for a trade: in an awkward spot for the Vikings but with potentially some appeal around the league.
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 315 pounds, Blake Brandel is a 28-year-old offensive lineman who entered the NFL in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has since gone back and forth between being valuable depth and being a locked-in starter, a job he took on for all of 2024 as the LG1. His résumé includes being leaned on to play left tackle, left guard, and right guard as a pro. So, too, has he been an extra o-lineman, sometimes referred to as a jumbo tight end.
When it comes to the Vikings’ roster, the issue is that there’s a logjam.
The starting five — LT Christian Darrisaw | LG Donovan Jackson | C Ryan Kelly | RG Will Fries | RT Brian O’Neill — are locked in so long as health cooperates. Next up is Justin Skule as the swing tackle. There’s then Walter Rouse, a sophomore who was picked in the 6th of the 2024 NFL Draft. He has taken a step forward and has previously been discussed as an option for guard, as well. The other player who appears to be safe for the 53-man roster is Michael Jurgens since he’s the backup center.
Add up all of those names and we’re talking about eight offensive linemen. Does UDFA guard Joe Huber — someone who can play all three interior positions — earn a spot? If not, he could realistically gets stolen away. One also wonders about Logan Brown, a reasonably promising offensive tackle who was added within undrafted free agency.
In theory, the Vikings could lean on those younger, cheaper players to function as the depth in 2025. Doing so would save some money while having the upside of polishing these diamonds in the rough. Where does that leave Blake Brandel?
The NFL is a league that’s starved for pass protection. Every team wants to be proficient at passing the football, which means having a strong offensive line. Mr. Brandel, realistically, could be a pretty nice add for some teams.
Blake Brandel isn’t elite but he is solid. A team could lean on him to be the main backup for a minimum of four different spots. The college tackle has played both guard spots alongside the left tackle position in the NFL. A team with uncertainty due to health issues and/or youthful starters may find that Brandel is a tempting option.
PFF handed a pretty average 55.2 grade to Blake Brandel for his effort last season. Previously, Kevin O’Connell has suggested that part of the struggle flowed from losing Christian Darrisaw to injury, an explanation that does make sense (which is to say nothing of Sam Darnold regularly holding onto the ball for a while). He got dinged with allowing 7 sacks, 7 hits, and 41 pressures. He committed 11 penalties.
Were I in charge of the Vikings, Mr. Brandel would have a roster spot. Nevertheless, it’s not difficult to foresee a future where he gets moved out if a Day 3 pick comes back.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
